2.3 - David Shenton
David Shenton is an English-born pianist, violinist, composer, and arranger based in New York City. As pianist/music director David has worked with renowned members of the music profession in all genres, including Vanessa Williams, Tony Bennett, Norm Lewis, Zach Levi, Sierra Boggess, Denyce Graves, Alfie Bøe, Renée Fleming, Sherrill Milnes, Marilyn Maye, Liz Callaway, Sir André Previn, Michael Feinstein, Amanda McBroom, Katie Couric, Alan Menken, and Stephen Schwartz.
David's proficiency in multiples genres has allowed him to work at prestigious venues, in various guises, all over the world. He gave his Carnegie Hall début in 2014 when he conducted (from the piano) his own orchestra/big band in front of a sold out house. David's Jazz @ Lincoln Center début was at The Rose Theater as jazz pianist in 2008, and two years later he gave his classical piano début at Lincoln Center's Rubenstein Atrium performing Schumann and Chopin as part of the 200th year anniversary celebrations of these two composers. In 2012 David arranged, orchestrated, conducted, and played solo violin and piano for a Lincoln Center-commissioned work to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of Titanic. As a violinist, David has performed frequently as a soloist with leading orchestras and as a recitalist. As a jazz pianist he continues to perform frequently at jazz clubs and larger venues in the USA.
David is one third of the popular musical group Empire Trio that he founded with his wife, soprano Erin Shields. Empire Trio was commissioned by Lincoln Center to create a new show (to premiere at Lincoln Center) about the history of Italian popular music. Empire Trio tours extensively in the US, Canada and Europe.
In 2013 David began a close working relationship with lyricist Martin Charnin (creator and lyricist of, among many others, Annie). David has co-created more than a dozen reviews/shows with Mr. Charnin which have been performed frequently by Broadway stars including Charnin's wife Shelly Burch, John Treacy Egan, Alton Fitzgerald White, Robi Hager, and many others.
A prolific arranger, David has worked for Abbey Road & CTS Studios (London), on Hollywood movies, West End & Broadway shows. He arranged/orchestrated the music for Howard Blake's The Snowman, which has run in the West End since 1998, and has orchestrated several shows in Germany, as well as the newest musical by the 'Annie' team, Robin Hood' The Untold Story. In August 2013 David created and orchestrated the original arrangements for a new and exciting group, Opus X, whose début album featured special guest, trumpeter Chris Botti.
David began writing music at the age of 9 and has written hundreds of pieces including a symphony, 2 piano concertos, 2 violin concertos and 2 string quartets all composed before the age of 11. Recent works include a double jazz violin concerto, several songs, and 5 musicals, all of which have premiered in New York.
David’s CDs are widely available and his solo piano CD, Sunnyside Blues, has won high acclaim as well as several awards. David’s ballet, Ascension, was commissioned by The Pendulum Aerial Dance Company in Portland (OR), who performs this work frequently. David wrote his first film score for Franc Reyes' drama, Beauty, which was screened in Hollywood, Miami and New York.
David teaches extensively and, as a coach, accompanist and teaching professor, has been on the faculties of NYU, The New School, The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, was visiting professor of violin and piano at St. Thomas Choir School for 4 years, and is entering his sixth year as the Music Director at Grace Church School in Manhattan. He is also a composer in residence in the advanced class of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop.
Born in Rotherham (South Yorkshire), England, David studied violin and piano at The Royal College of Music, London from where he graduated with the highest honours.
